Virus Definition

Viruses are infectious agents that replicate inside the body of a host

In biology, viruses are microscopic entities that are able to replicate inside the cell of its host. The definition of viruses differs among scientists because these entities cannot be classified as a living organism or a non-living object. This is due to the fact that the viruses possess certain characteristics of living organisms as well as non-living entities.

For instance, viruses can replicate like living organisms, however, they can only do so within the host’s cell. However, viruses do not contain essential cellular components that are paramount for life. Hence, it has to “hijack” the cellular machinery of its host to produce copies of itself. Unlike living organisms, viruses can be crystallized and can remain active.